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Maui eatery included on 'legendary' best-of list
Only in Your State’s newest 50 Best list looks at 'Legendary Local Restaurants Across the U.S.' A popular Pā‘ia restaurant is included.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 21, 2026

Vintage Books Hawaiʻi relaunches brunch service with new chef
Chef Keith Endo, whose culinary background includes leading the kitchens at Vino and Ki Club, is now the executive chef at this Kaimukī speakeasy. Vintage Books Hawaiʻi re-launched its weekend brunch with a new menu in mid-April.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 21, 2026

Hawai‘i baseball eliminated from Big West Conference tournament
The Rainbow Warriors fell to Cal State Fullerton in Wednesday's tournament play-in game, ending their tenure in the Big West.
Christian ShimabukuMay 21, 2026

Dave Lazar named as next Honolulu Police Chief
Honolulu Police Commission names former San Francisco assistant chief to lead Honolulu Police Department. His start date is up in the air, pending a deeper background investigation and contract negotiations.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 21, 2026

Hawai‘i Pacific University set to add women's flag football program
HPU will be the first college athletics program in the state to add flag football.
Christian ShimabukuMay 21, 2026

Rainbow Drive-In has a new happy hour
The business’s new happy hour menu is at the Kapahulu location only on Mondays to Thursdays. Customers can enjoy $5, $10 and $12 specials, ranging from small Slush floats and chili fries to barbecue burgers and loco moco plates.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 21, 2026

New Korean fusion pop-up in Kaimukī
KoLab, formerly located in Kakaʻako, now offers a Korean-inspired breakfast within Kaimukī’s Aloha Bakehouse & Café. The biz offers fresh poke with crispy waffle rice, egg salad sandos and joomuk bap, or savory Korean rice balls.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 21, 2026

Maui County looks to acquire water assets from Maui Land & Pineapple
The county says this move marks the first phase of a broader effort that aims to also secure other private water systems in Olowalu and Launiupoko.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 21, 2026

Taimane, Los Lobos to headline Maui Music and Food Experience
Music and food are on the menu for the third annual Maui Music and Food Experience, which will host several days of performances in Kāʻanapali in August. The event’s headliners were announced this week. Proceeds of the two-day event will benefit Hua Momona Foundation, which is working to feed the community, help Lahaina rebuild and foster a youth music scene on Maui.
Katie HellandMay 20, 2026

Pipikaula Corner: David Lazar, Kate Steinle and Honolulu’s future
One of the top three candidates for Honolulu Police Chief, David Lazar of San Francisco, has stated his intention to never let HPD cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. These are the kinds of policies widely believed to have been the reason why Kathryn "Kate" Steinle was killed in 2015 by a five-time deportee, out on the streets of San Francisco because local authorities refused to work with federal agencies on immigration cases.
A. Kam NapierMay 20, 2026

Intermediate Ghosts
If you thought just being in the 7th or 8th grade was scary, imagine if some tragic set of circumstances had you trapped there in the afterlife! Stories abound about the things seen at Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School in Honolulu, long known as an "Intermediate School" in the DOE naming system. Ancient warriors. Headless bodies. A cop on his beat. A mysterious woman in high heels. All these and more.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiMay 20, 2026

Hawai‘i baseball set for final Big West Conference tournament
The Rainbow Warriors will take on Cal State Fullerton in Wednesday's play-in game.
Christian ShimabukuMay 20, 2026

Hawai‘i Island 'Burning Man' festival given green light
Windward Planning Commission approves application for "Falls On Fire" festival, despite trepidation from neighbors.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 20, 2026

What to do on Oʻahu for Memorial Day weekend
From sewing lei for service members to the Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi, there are lots of events happening on Oʻahu this weekend. Aloha State Daily rounded up some of the ceremonies and activities, so you can make plans.
Katie HellandMay 19, 2026

New frozen Greek yogurt spot in Honolulu
Aloha Greek Waikīkī opened recently on Kūhiō Avenue. The business offers self-serve frozen Greek yogurt with Hawaiʻi-inspired flavors like ube, mango, liliko‘i and pineapple.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 19, 2026

Community Voices: Why is Haleakalā a sacred place?
On Haleakalā, the land from where the forest begins up to the summit is considered a wao akua (realm of gods). The summit itself is called the piko, or highest point, which draws down nourishment that feeds the entire, living, breathing mountain system.
Hina KneubuhlMay 19, 2026

Da Morning Grind Cafe is tucked away within a laundromat
The business’s takeout window is located on South King Street. Open for grab-and-go, the café offers a variety of coffees, teas, dirty sodas and specialty drinks, including a twist on the London Fog latte.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 19, 2026

Top cops: The last Mainland HPD chief?
Dave Lazar, candidate for Honolulu's police chief, promises strong leadership, technological improvements and no deals with ICE.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 19, 2026

Boys and Girls Club of Hawaiʻi’s annual fundraiser kicks off
Since 2017, Great Futures Day has aimed to raise awareness and funds for the nonprofit, which is celebrating 50 years of serving youth in the Islands. Throughout the dubbed the “Week of Aloha,” which runs from May 18 to 22, donors can double their impact thanks to various partners.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 19, 2026

Exhibit on Robert Cazimero extends through next week
A special exhibit honoring the work of legendary musician and Kumu Hula Robert Cazimero has been extended due to popular demand. Catch it at Gallery ‘Iolani at Windward Community College.
Katie HellandMay 19, 2026

Affordable housing development opens in Makiki
Makiki Banyan is the fifth project from Lam Capital developed under the City and County of Honolulu's Bill 7 program.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 19, 2026

Ben Sasse is dying in public
The former U.S. senator from Nebraska is talking about big ideas everywhere he can as pancreatic cancer takes his life. Hawai‘i's politicians could learn from what he has to say about government doing fewer things well, says ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa.
Sterling HigaMay 19, 2026

Ry’s Poke Shack opens in Honolulu
The Kahuku-based biz opened its second location on Oʻahu this past weekend. The Honolulu location is located in the Ala Moana neighborhood next to Jugo Life, and features specialty collaboration poke flavors.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 19, 2026

Community Voices: Keep following the yellow brick road
A look at more Hawaiʻi tax bills on their way to Gov. Green’s desk.
Tom YamachikaMay 18, 2026